Brits have been warned to check their cars for five everyday items that could end up putting your vehicle – and even your health – in danger ahead of the UK’s looming heatwave
Brits are being urged to clear out almost half a dozen common items from their car, even if they’ve been stored in the boot.
The warning comes as the UK braces itself for a blistering spell of weather, with temperatures slated to hit a staggering 33C in parts of the country, before the end of June. During these scorching summer months, motorists in the UK should be careful about what they leave in their vehicles – as high temperatures can quickly transform your parked car into a dangerous environment.
On a day when the temperature outside is 30°C, the interior of a vehicle can reach around 50°C within half an hour. The rapid temperature rise is caused by the greenhouse effect — where sunlight passes through the glass windows and heats the interior surfaces, but the heat cannot escape easily, causing the inside temperature to soar well above the outside temperature.
This extreme can cause everyday objects left inside a car to become dangerous — they can ignite, leak harmful substances, or even explode. With this in mind, here are five common items that should never be left inside your vehicle during the summer.
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1. Lighters
Lighters are commonly left in pockets, bags and cars, but despite their small size, they contain pressurised butane gas which expands significantly when exposed to high heat. If left on a dashboard or near a window — anywhere in direct sunlight — the internal pressure can cause the lighter to explode, sometimes resulting in fires that damage the car’s interior, crack windshields, melt dashboard components or worse — cause injury.
Always remove lighters from your vehicle and store them in a cool, temperature-controlled place. Avoid leaving them in car boots, especially those with windows, and any place where they could be exposed to sunlight.
2. Perfumes, deodorants and spray bottles
Many people keep perfumes, deodorants and air fresheners in their cars for when they’re in need of a quick spruce. However, these products are typically stored in pressurised aerosol cans containing flammable substances including alcohol. When the temperature inside the car rises, the pressure inside these cans increases dramatically, raising the risk of an explosion.
If a can bursts or leaks, the flammable contents can ignite on contact with a hot surface or spark, potentially causing a fire. Even without an explosion, heat can degrade the chemical composition of perfumes, altering their scent and potentially making them harmful. So it’s best to carry such sprays with you or store them in a shaded, temperature-neutral environment, rather than leaving them in the car for convenience.
3. Glasses
It may seem unlikely, but glasses — especially those with convex lenses such as prescription spectacles or sunglasses — can quickly become a fire hazard inside a hot car. The lenses can act like magnifying glasses, focusing sunlight into a concentrated beam intense enough to ignite flammable materials like paper, synthetic clothing and upholstery.
Additionally, the high heat can warp plastic frames, loosen screws and damage coatings like anti-reflective or UV protection. To prevent this, never leave glasses loose in your motor, always keep them in a protective case and take them with you when leaving the car.
4. Power Banks
Power banks and other lithium-ion battery-powered devices are highly sensitive to heat. When exposed to extreme temperatures inside a parked car, these batteries can swell, leak hazardous chemicals, or even explode. The risk is even greater if the power bank is charging while left in a hot vehicle, as the combined heat and electrical activity can trigger a dangerous failure.
Leaked battery fluids are toxic and corrosive, posing health risks and causing damage to car interiors. To minimise risk, never leave power banks, chargers, or any lithium-ion batteries inside a hot car.
5. Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles, commonly made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), can release harmful chemicals such as BPA and phthalates when exposed to heat. These substances are endocrine disruptors, linked to fertility problems, developmental issues and even cancer with prolonged exposure.
Drinking water from a plastic bottle that has been sitting in a hot car can mean consuming these toxic compounds. Water-filled plastic bottles can also focus sunlight in a similar fashion spectacles, potentially starting fires. To stay safe, avoid leaving plastic bottles in your car.
Understanding these risks and taking simple precautions can prevent fires, chemical exposure and causing damage — to both your car and your health. So keep your vehicle safe and journeys worry-free by making your car a heat hazard-free zone.
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